Discovering Dalton(26)

He looked at his watch again and then did something stupid, he took out Dalton’s personal information from their files and read through them, quickly finding his mobile number and home address. It was close by. The guy was probably hiding and worrying himself to death by not coming round. Liam had seen how badly he’d reacted before and that was caused by just seeing him in the shower, so he could only guess how bad it would be this time. He didn’t want Dalton staying away from Aspire or him just because of some silly embarrassment about their little sexual exploration the other night.

Liam’s gut feeling was Dalton wouldn’t reply to a text or call from him, so he grabbed his jacket and bike keys and locked up for the night, heading to his bike and making his way to Dalton’s housing estate. It was a nice little place, one where the houses all kind of looked the same. Three bed semi-detached things with neat gardens and two cars parked on the drive. Liam smirked. It looked boring, but he guessed it suited his young police officer and his ex-wife.

He pulled up outside number forty six and looked at the house for a moment. The lights were on but he couldn’t see anyone through the window. He stood off the bike, discarding his jacket on the seat and looked down himself. He hadn't changed from the gym’s uniform, but he looked clean and he’d showered. He walked to the front door and knocked, waiting as he leaned against the wall. When it opened, he just stood there in silence, as did the petite blonde woman inside.

She looked him up and down, then shrugged. “Well, what’s up? You knocked, aren’t you supposed to talk first?”

“I'm sorry, isn’t this Dalton’s place?”

“Yeah, and?”

Liam looked over her. Nice shape, long legs, went in and out in all the right places, if you like those type of places. The ex? “Is he in?”

“Who’s asking?” She crossed her arms over her ample chest and glared up at him.

He smiled a little. “I'm his personal trainer. I own the gym he goes to. He didn’t turn up… again.”

She dropped her arms and clung onto the door with one hand, really looking at him, appraising him like she’d just seen him or something. “You're Liam? Course you are. Look at you.” She smiled more openly. “Dalton’s talked about you non-stop for like three months. So, you're the man who’s turned him into the stud he is now, huh?”

Talked about him for three months, huh? Liam liked that. “Not really. He did all the hard work, that’s down to him. I just shouted a lot.” Liam looked into her blue eyes. So, this was the ex, or was she? Had Dalton lied to him about them breaking up? “So, is he in?”

“Now’s not so good.”

“Right.” Liam tightened his jaw. “Just tell him I called round, and ask him to check in with me.”

She stepped outside and closed the door, walking down the steps to him and holding his elbow. “Liam… his dad… he's not so good. Dalton’s not shirking his gym time on a whim. He’s not like that. He got a call this afternoon and he’s not feeling so bright.”

“Oh.” Liam kicked himself for being so arsey. “I'm sorry, I didn’t know his dad was ill.”

“He’s old, nearly eighty. It’s been coming for a while. I'm Kelly.” She held out her hand and Liam shook it. “It’s nice to meet you at last. Dalton really appreciates all the effort you put into helping him get back into shape. He’s never been healthier or fitter.”

“Yeah, he’s a good person to work with. Tries hard, follows instruction well.” Liam trailed off, not really wanting the conversation to continue. He had a strong feeling he’d cheated with her husband and he didn’t like it.

“I think he’s needed this time to think about himself.”

Liam paused, half turning from her before looking back. “He didn’t do this for himself.” He watched her blue eyes meet his. “It was for you. All this.” Liam smiled coldly. “He didn’t give a shit about himself when he came to me. All he cared about was you. He wanted to make you happy.” Liam remembered those first few conversations clear as day. People who make a life change for other people tend to fail, but Dalton didn’t. He’d wanted it so badly he’d worked his arse off in there five nights a week. “You happy now?”

“Look…” She stepped closer, looking up into Liam’s eyes. “I don’t know what he's told you about me, about us, but I'm not the bad guy here. There's no bad guy.”

So, they’d separated then? “He’s not much for sharing and I'm not one for gossip. He just said you'd split up recently, that’s all I know.”

She nodded and Liam felt his chest loosen a bit. “Everything’s kind of going tits up right now.”

“Yeah.” Liam sympathised with the guy. Divorce, ill dad, getting turned on by another guy… big changes coming his way. “He, erm… he wasn’t so good the last time we were together. Does he suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, that sort of thing?”

Kelly’s eyes widened and she nodded. “But you can't say anything to anyone. He would hate that you know that. How did you find out? Did he have a panic attack with you? That never happens. He holds it together most of the time, it’s just at home he lets it out.”

“He got overheated, but there was more. My brother used to have them, and I saw the signs. I'm not gonna say anything. I just wanted to see if he was okay.” And to see why he didn’t turn up to meet me.

“Kelly?”

They both turned to see Dalton standing at the front door, looking hot in a pair of loose joggers and a tight t-shirt. Liam glanced up and down him before he could stop himself, luckily both of them were too busy glaring at each other to notice.

“What’s going on?” Dalton looked right at Liam, sending shockwaves of anxiety his way.

“Sorry, Dee, I was just passing by and thought I'd see how you were doing after Thursday. Kelly was just telling me about your dad. I'm sorry. I was just leaving.”

“No-no.” Kelly took hold of his elbow and started leading him to the house. “Honestly. I was getting ready to go, so this works out great.” She practically pushed him up the stairs and right into Dalton who was acting as a barrier to the house. “Dalton, go sit down. I’ll make you both some tea then get off.”

“There's really no need.” Dalton looked into Liam’s eyes as he entered the hallway, both of them brushing up against the other, and Liam felt a wave of lust rip through him. “Liam,” Dalton whispered as Liam pushed him backwards. “Just…”

Kelly swanned past them and Liam watched her walk down the hall and into the kitchen. “Milk and sugar, Liam?”

“Erm, neither thanks. Black no sugar. Just a splash of cold water to cool it down a bit. But put a couple in Dalton’s, he needs it.”

“On it.”

Liam never left Dalton’s hesitant blue eyes the whole time he’d been in the house.

“You have to leave.”

“I will do if you want me to.” Liam brushed his fingertip underneath Dalton’s swollen eyelids.

“Don’t.” Dalton stepped back, leaning against the wall, both of them now hidden from view by the staircase. “Look… I'm tired.”

“You look it.” Liam pulled Dalton into his arms, just holding him. Liam felt him stiffen, but then he blew out a big breath and sagged into Liam's strong hold. He was like Troy in that respect, he held off from comfort, fighting it until Liam just stood no shit and took charge. “I'm sorry I barged in like this. I just thought you may be hiding again.”

“I'm not, I'm just… I was going to come tonight. I should’ve called, but time got away from me and—”

“It’s okay.” Liam tightened his hold. “It’s alright. I'm here if you want to talk, but if not, I'm okay getting out of here as soon as she leaves.”

Dalton’s arms slowly crept around him, holding him tightly as Liam swayed him in his arms. It was his ex’s heels tapping on the wooden floor that made them part, Liam quickly separating himself from Dalton’s hold and taking his hand, leading him into the sitting room and placing him on the sofa.

Kelly passed him a cup and Liam kneeled in front of Dalton, pressing it to his lips. “Drink, okay.”

Dalton’s fingers were shaking too much to hold the cup and Liam thought it would be a mixture between his dad, being held by another man while his wife made tea, and the fact they were both turned on and trying to hide it. “Thanks.” Dalton looked at him, then over his shoulder at his ex who was putting her coat on.

“I'm getting off. I’ll be round tomorrow at five, okay. We’ll go see your dad together for the evening visiting hours. Take care, love.” She leaned over and kissed Dalton lightly on the forehead before looking at Liam, who was now standing and seemed to tower over her tiny frame. She was like five foot nothing, and compared to Liam’s six foot three, she looked even smaller. “It was nice to meet you, Liam. I’ve left my mobile number by the kettle if you need me. I don’t live far away.”

“I'm going to be fine, Kelly. God.” Dalton rubbed his face gruffly as she walked with Liam to the door.